Beats News

Mumdance & Logos return with their first 12" since their seminal Proto album in 2015...

A few years ago, Melodies family members Floating Points and DJ Red Greg got their hands on a couple of original 70s obscurities. While these standout records shone brightly in their own right, the two DJs saw the potential to create their own edits behind the scenes, finely attuning the original versions to modern-day dancefloor standards. Of these new recordings, they cut only five copies for themselves and a few DJ friends of theirs. Today, Melodies International is very proud to bring you MEL006 and MEL007. Fully licensed, lovingly mastered to the highest possible standards and carefully edited to dial up that dancefloor enjoyment, these two 'You're A Melody' classics weren't originally meant to get official releases. But due to popular request, they are now available to play and share in very special moments at parties around the world. MEL6 arrives as a 7-inch, with the original version and the edit on the flip. First released in 1979 as a three-minute up-tempo library recording, 'Disco Baby", one of 10 tracks off a record available to license for film, radio, television and other media, held some hidden magic that would only get uncovered almost four decades later. Informed by years of combined dancefloor experience, Floating Points and Red Greg have slightly tweaked the original material, realising that played in the right context, it can become a true disco anthem.

Trapped in a bloody Cumbia remix or in a Casamence groove... Both sides brings a travel into music and this weapon will defenitly bring the fire on the dancefloor !

Confidential Vinyl release.... Orginal tune is closer to Big Beat and Breakbeat... And then after comes a Bassline « aminfloor » remix... B side offers one Funky Spider remix from Ixindamix and a massive drum & bass booster remixed by Micky and E.A.C. !

Superb melt of World Music and trip Hop. Mental Instrumental, sweet and deep.

This is Gong 03.

Screen Shadow presents 'II' ( Paths) on Gong Ear.

Paths goes deep and dark, but keeps you on your toes. its the feeling of walking down a set of stairs in total darkness. You dont know what the next step will bring.

This is NOT lapstop speaker friendly.

All seven minutes of 'Paths' on this 7 were primarily recorded with a custom built 'Mechanical Modular', a modular synth based on mechanical things such as Fan oscillators, clicking percussion VU meters and broken hard drives.

Screen Shadow quotes

' I sampled clouds and corridors . And I wondered what a tooth cavity would sound like if you were hiding in it with a microphone'

Paths (II) will be out on digital and limited edition CDR of 30 copies. Vinyl release tba.

100% no compromise Flanger-Action - Black Label, White Stamp!

Innerverse is a Record Label spearheaded by Dubstep veteran Quest specializing in forward thinking, innovative and expressive Bass music. 140 bpm and beyond!

Idm sounds, remixfull, offering IDM, ambient, Drum & Bass and even abstract hip hop... witch is unusual on Hymen. The full LP gives a big variety of music, all top quality. A true Hymen Records product !

Acrhcetype stepper dub maximum power again !

Limited re-release of the Astounding debut EP on Spacebar from Skeetaz (James Watts & Bil Bless) - Features Limbertimbre remix Those paying attention will no doubt remember Skeetaz from their contributions to Spacebar Superstars Vol. 2. Here we present a re-release of their astounding full debut for Spacebar Sentiments, the ' Fogrequing EP '. Comprising of James Watts (KiloWatts) and Bil Bless (Son of the Electric Ghost, The Disciple Grin), this is evidently material written by two producers at the peak of their powers. Straddling the thin line between breaks and electro (just the way we like it), this has the energy and funk of good breaks, with the amazing sound design and futuristic edge of electro... 'Fo' kicks off the EP in fine fashion, with hints of P-funk peeping out from amongst the mind-blowing programming. 'Drama Quing' follows, and sounds like a friendlier version of Aphex's 'Windowlicker', adding truly beautiful padded chord progressions to the sharp electro underbelly. Limbertimbre grabs the bull by the horns on the flip and ups the tempo of 'Fo' while keeping the funk in full effect. 'Ogre' rounds the EP off nicely with a glitched downtempo jam that urges us to 'check the rhythm'. Good advice, as just when you think you have got a handle on it the track has sped up, slowed down, sped up again, and those of you who were brave enough to attempt dancing in the first place are left spinning...

Onwards and downwards - T.A.R's debut vinyl release takes Rarefied deeper into a world of distortion, compression and the macabre. Bon Ding Ding - time for round three!

The 16th vinyl release on Pinecone Moonshine presents four Drum and Bass tracks with elements of jazz, dub, and ambient. Drums range from live percussion to sampled break beats.

Martsman returns to Pinecone Moonshine bringing his signature basslines and hinting at jazz and dub influences for two Drum and Bass tracks. Starting with pleasant jazz chords, a few guitar strums, and rolling percussion from sticks and light hi-hats, Capital-K switches to a stuttering, pulsating bassline. Several layers of percussion create a live feeling over the highly syncopated drum loop. Zeezer's squelching bassline and high pitch sound effects are offset by warm, echoing dub stabs. The drums mostly focus on a dominant kick drum and 4/4 hi-hats in a dub-techno style. The progression is guided by excerpts of break beats including the Amen break in the second half.

Dissident's Stuck in Texture combines one break beat and sparse percussion to carefully control transitions in this ambient roller. The optimistic tone builds through the intro and focuses on repetition to create a calm, atmospheric vibe.

Bjork. Babyfather. Internet. Comes In A Hand-Stitched Fishnet Sleeve. 100 copies...

A skyscraper extending its fingertips upwards, outstretched and pointing towards an unmarked ceiling that extends even more itself, spinning and slicing its way through the horizontal and the layers that are see through and infinite and stacked one on top of the other. Currently getting plays by AFX and more...

Nadia Struiwigh is an electronic music DJ & producer from Rotterdam, Netherlands.

Sitting somewhere between Biosphere and Boards of Canada, Struiwigh's refined downtempo electronica takes you on a journey full of synthesized soundscapes that flirt with ambient techno.

Awash with melody and warm electronics, Lenticular is an expertly crafted piece from an artist who has found her sound and is now effortlessly outputting inspiring compositions.

Reminiscent of Warp's Artificial Intelligence series, this is electronic listening music for quiet nights and club drowsy dawns.

Both tracks are taken from her forthcoming album of the same name.

Initially coming from a background in the musically raucous worlds of 2 Step and Garage, Synkro has, over time, developed a sound that is altogether more introspective, more emotive and more emotionally complex. Stepping up here with his second release on legendary Apollo Records, Synkro delivers eight tracks that - while retaining some of the stutter and swing of Garage, are far more rooted in the textural world of ambient music for which Apollo is famed.
There is a consistency in Synkro's work throughout this release that suggests an artist who is heading in a singular direction and very much crafting their own sound. All eight tracks come drenched in thick layers of smoky reverb and make use of long drawn-out, drone like textures to set up these atmospheric musical canvases within which Synkro then crafts his rhythmically complex, emotionally mournful sound sculptures. The use of vocals is sparing but effective and skillful, as evidenced in the spoken word samples and pitched up R&B vocals on Acceptance and Spirals, and the beautifully pitched effected voice on Don't Want.
There is a move towards more organic textures, too, with a genty played acoustic guitar featuring prominently on Mutual Divide (a track that features fellow Apollo artists Indigo), and broad, open guitar strums forming the backdrop to another of the tracks here, Disappear. The use of these sounds and timbres again points to an artist crafting music that transcends the nightclub obsessed world of modern electronic music and creating music that has a more time-worn, grown up feel to it.
Listening to all eight tracks in their entirety, the listener is transported into a parallel aural universe of late night, reflective states that feel weighed with a certain sadness but still retain an unmistakable underpinning of hope. Within that, there's something very current about Synkro's output - a kind of expression of how fractured and disparate life in the early part of the 21st century has become - where hyper modern production technology rubs shoulders with virtually untreated guitar and sad, distorted voices; where the constant chatter of electronic communication fails to distort the isolation of the modern world. To be able to distill these sensations and emotions into music, as Synkro does, is a rare skill and guarantees that Synkro is an artist who we'll be hearing a lot more from in the future.

Hemlock founder Untold is back on the label with his first vinyl EP since 'Doff' on sub-label HBLK back in 2015. This release follows appearances on last year's #savefabric compilation, and more recently on 'Magic City III' compiled by Mixpak boss Jubilee.

HEK029 follows a rewarding period of A&R for Hemlock that has so far delivered EPs from Bruce and Parris, with several more scheduled to drop throughout 2017.

This EP's two winding tracks are a natural progression from the fiercely textural drum work of Untold's previous singles and album 'Black Light Spiral.' Here the material is given more space to breathe and released from the grid creating a lighter more footloose feel.

'Tear Up the Club' carries the weight of DMZ era half-step using a loose web of elasticated breaks and builds to reveal a striking melodic line.

On 'Watton Res' exotic tones are further compressed and expanded in sequence, encasing drum machine, keyboards and guitar work within a delicate shell.

South Africa's Escapism Refuge returns to London's Smokin' Sessions with the On The Fence EP, following his previous effort for the label - the highly acclaimed 'Vol. 31'.

A-side and title track 'On The Fence' is an understated and subtle effort, carrying with it an introspective and moody set of harmonies and chord progressions. It's a quietly uplifting start to the EP, and the track's lead melody will remain stuck in your head for days. The B1 - 'Almost Eight' - does things differently by incorporating elements of classic Ruff Sqwad-era grime with an updated and crisp set of modern day production techniques. The EP's last track, 'Dust', uses a deep and propulsive bass line, which is augmented by Escapism's now signature use of fleeting vocal samples. It's a powerful ending to a heavyweight and emotionally-charged EP from Escapism Refuge.

Escapism Refuge's previous efforts have gained impressive DJ support from across the scene, from figures such as Compa (Deep Medi), Synkro, Gilles Peterson, Lefto, Joe Kay (Soulection), Don Letts, Tim Parker, N- Type, Phaeleh and many more.

The On The Fence EP will be available digitally and on 12' vinyl soon.

Dub-Stuy links Bukkha with UK grime stalwart Killa P for a dark, sound killing anthem.

Dub-Stuy expands on their vision for 21st century sound system music with a new 12' that brings together resident producer Bukkha and one of grime's most recognisable voices, Killa P . The result is a deadly cut that takes no prisoners and is backed by an equally heavy instrumental.

'Death Chat' is arguably one of Dub-Stuy's most ambitious collaborations to date. Bukkha crafts a dub meets grime riddim that builds from filtered keys into a ten-ton heavy monster. Killa P, who has collaborated with The Bug and is fresh from a turn on Sir Spyro's 'Topper Top', delivers cutting lyrics in his instantly recognizable patois-inflected style, with each bar building tension toward a sonic climax.

Backing up this dancefloor sureshot is 'Ethiopian Dub', an instrumental that samples its vocal and melodic hook from an obscure dubplate and whirls both around a steady beat and bass line solid enough to punch through walls.

With this latest 12' for Dub-Stuy, Bukkha shows his versatility and delivers an anthem that no sound can test..

REPRESSED !!

(Jamie Boston Remix)

REPRESSED !!

Digital Dub masterpiece !

The debut LP from Ancestral Voices now repressed for 2017 in an all new vinyl colour.

The birth of Ancestral Voices represents a new path for an established and highly respected producer.Liam Blackburn carved out a singular musical voice as Indigo, and also more recently as half of acclaimed duo Akkord. Inevitably a new approach to creating music has developed into a new identity: seeping with textures, loaded with a taut energy that whispers tales of shamanism and transformative life experiences.
Stripping back an already unique creative process proved a challenge that has paid off, and Blackburn's evolving sound has no immediate sonic comparison. With distinct resonances of his musical heritage flowing through a more mature filter, there is a mystical atmosphere that resounds through the LP as you hear Ancestral Voicesemerge triumphantly into the world.
The Ancestral Voices debut LP is an insight into a subconscious journey; fully formed as one accomplished 'Night Of Visions'.

Mutant drum structures, cascading synths and industrial bell ringing forms the backdrop to Bandshell's latest work. Those paying close attention to his output over the years will remember his work on labels like Hessle Audio, Liberation Technologies and his own recently setup b.s. hell.

7th Storey Projects are delighted to announce the release of a 10" dubplate special from a man who has been making a splash in the jungle scene for a while now, with a slew of top quality releases on labels such as Fresh 86 and Shiprec, as well as his own imprints - Myor Massiv, MYOR & Diamond Life . A huge welcome to Coco Bryce to 7th Storey's roster of talent ! Featuring two killer cuts from Coco's archives - the A side, 'Raid' in an amenistic attack, replete with dark and eerie interludes. The B Side 'JBB' is a junglistic roller with uplifting pads, plaintive horns and ragga chants. Both tracks demonstrate his ability to create unconventional yet still dance floor friendly tunes tinged with his many musical influences.

Dekmantel happily presents Esa Williams's debut EP Aweh on the label. With his discography growing steadily over the past couple of years, the South African artist constantly breathes new energy into his music by magnificently incorporating global influences in his work. His Dekmantel Records debut and three-tracked Aweh is no exception, and includes his promising hit track 'Blast'.
.
For Williams, Aweh, which is Capetonian slang for 'awareness', spreads the message of his continuous musical journey and presents his many musical partnerships. Especially, 'Blast' shows a true master piece on this release and is a perfect mixture of eerie Afro-noise with staggering traditional Gogo music vocals. 'It's very special to me', Williams says about the track. 'I made this when I was in Uganda to record an album with the children of the legendary Tanzanian artist Hukwe Zawose, including Msafiri Zawose. One of them, Pendo Zawose, had an extremely powerful presence and was doing incredible backing vocals. I wanted to see what she would do if I presented her something totally different, so I put on an extended version of a modern kwaito beat I got from Narch Beats. We only did one take, but her vocals completely blew me away.''

The flipside covers two well-thought gems including 'Rift Valley', a house track mixed up with drums and vocals from the East African collective Santuri and Abakisimba. Aweh's 'Rent-A-Disc' represents the name of a Cape Town based music library that opened its doors in the early to late 90s. The library was the place to be to get all the early house records for many local DJs on the Cape Flats - including Williams's late father - and served as the inspiration for the B-side track. A dark, energetic and yet percussive Cape Town meets Chicago vibe is the result.

Next release on Craig Richard's Tuppence imprint comes from Howie B, Craig Richards and Shaun Ryder. Old Boys features Shaun Ryder unique vocal styling's over Howie and Craig's infectious crisp production. On the flip, Howie and Craig venture into more sonically eclectic territories.
Please note these are limited 7' only releases.

N.M.O. is the project of North Sea drummer / producer Morten J. Olsen and the Mediterranean synthesis-aficinado, Rubén Patiño. The title of the project, N.M.O., is an ever-changing acronym that incorporates club music, performance, miltary drumming, fitness and absurdity. This EP unfolds the latest, Nassau Molasses Office and also the bands new deviation, Deutsch am Fuß (DaF).
The duo combine performative aspects into their percussive patterns and synthetic sounds that explode during their short and intense live shows. N.M.O. recently performed at CTM Festival and also created a musical chairs performance with NTS.
For this new EP the Nordic-Mediterranean duo, Nassau Molasses Office, set off on an "excursion of possible caribbean Youtube islands' for the A side. On the B side, sees the band-in-a-band blend transatlantic rhythmic club interludes with a retroesque West Germany flavour.

Heavyweights Causa, Taiko and Dark Tantrums make their first appearance on Circle Vision alongside label boss RDG on CV006 - the first record in the Various Visions series, launched to present an umbrella of artists sharing the label's vision of sound design and affection for immersive bass music.

Drummer and music producer Desmond Mahoney is another of the unsung heroes of British reggae. Born in Jamaica, he moved to the UK in 1967 and began his professional career playing drums in a band called Young Ones From Zion. He was a
founding member of Black Slate when the group formed in 1974, played with them through their glory years and after running a sound system in North London for many years, returned to the fold when the group reformed a few years ago. His first foray in music production probably came during a brief period in Toronto in 1978, working with a band called the Ishan Lions, but he was back in the UK in time for Black Slate's breakthrough material, which brought them onto Ensign in the UK, Barclay in France and Alligator in the USA. At the same time, he continued to arrange and produce for a number of British reggae artists operating in both the roots and lover's rock modes, female duo Nya & Natty's 'One Love Stylee' seemed to bridge the two styles quite successfully on this greatly sought-after 12-inch, first issued in 1981 on the S&G label, then based at a record shop in Bow.

Cassette compilation of all exclusive Jheri Tracks (different to the vinyl EPs).... one for the born again walkman crew. TIP!